For the Disabled, More Power for PlayGPS devices and airport videophones are just some of the latest gadgets that can help people with disabilities enjoy travel and leisure From Businessweek, December 23, 2008

IBM Voted India's Employer of the YearHow did we end up with mice? Ease of use, proving the old secretary's adage, "The boss couldn't type, thus the point-and-click mouse was born." IBM has gone several steps beyond the boss's handicap. They address disabilities of sight, hearing, cognition, and mobility. That's why the Employer of the Year 2008 award has been given to IBM by India's Government. The award recognizes companies which empower people who have disabilities. The national award was presented by Indian Vice President Mohammed Hamid Ansari.
From ITExaminer.com, December 19, 2008

Scientists Try to Let the Blind `See' FishAs brightly colored fish dart in and out of the rocks scattered in a small aquarium, a bewildering melody follows each of their movements. The eerie symphony comes from an "audio aquarium," a contraption dreamed up by Georgia Tech scientists as a way to let blind people experience sea life. From USA Today, December 18, 2008

Number of Americans with a Disability Reaches 54.4 MillionAbout one in five U.S. residents - 19 percent - reported some level of disability in 2005, according to a U.S. Census Bureau report released today. These 54.4 million Americans are roughly equal to the combined total populations of California and Florida.From U.S. Census Bureau | Public Information Office, December 18, 2008

Accessibility Interoperability Alliance Welcomes 26 New MembersThe Accessibility Interoperability Alliance (AIA), www.AccessInteropAlliance.org, a coalition of leading information and assistive technology companies dedicated to enabling developers to more easily create accessible software, hardware and Web products, welcomes the addition of 26 new members to the association in 2008.From MarketWatch: The Wall Street Journal Digital Network, December 15, 2008

Museum Web Projects Receive Jodi Accessibility Awards
Digital projects from the National Trust, the British Museum and an innovative scheme to open up the collections of the V&A to people with learning difficulties were rewarded with Jodi Awards at a ceremony at the British Museum on Friday December 5.
From 24 Hour Museum, December 12, 2008

W3C Web Standard Defines Accessibility for Next Generation WebToday W3C announces a new standard that will help Web designers and developers create sites that better meet the needs of users with disabilities and older users. Drawing on extensive experience and community feedback, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 improve upon W3C's groundbreaking initial standard for accessible Web content.
From Innovation Report, December 12, 2008

Closing a Historic Gap in Human RightsThe UN General Assembly has achieved an important goal to strengthen international protection of human rights as it celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration
From UNHCHR Press, December 10, 2008